Pollard Middle School

The middle school wellness program builds upon the knowledge, skills, and behaviors learned and practiced in grades K-6 and is valuable in preparing middle school students for their high school experience. Health Education, Physical Education, and Experiential Education make up the middle school portion of our K-12 comprehensive wellness program. Although each course is taught separately, they each embrace a multidimensional approach to understanding human health and well-being. Each course contributes, in its unique way, to students’ ongoing development of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to participate in an active, healthy lifestyle.

Health Education

Health Education is required for students in grade 7 and 8. Students meet in their health classes every other day for one trimester (approximately 20 lessons). The overall theme of the middle school health program is Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness. The goal of the Health Education Program is to promote healthy behaviors and a dedication to wellness. Through a carefully developed series of interactive lessons, students are introduced to a wide variety of health topics. Teachers facilitate class discussions and learning activities that provide students with opportunities to learn and practice social and emotional skills, increase their knowledge, and develop healthy attitudes.

Physical Education

Physical Education is required for all students in grades 7 & 8. The physical education program recognizes the uniqueness of the middle school child and is designed to support students’ healthy development during this important stage of development. Through the use of games, sports, gymnastics, adventure, fitness, and dance, students are involved in activities designed specifically to help them improve their inpidual motor skills, increase their fitness levels and to continue to practice and develop their social skills and emotional skills. Emphasis is placed on encouraging each student to try a variety of different activities and to continue to pursue those that they find enjoyable. Students’ enjoyment in an activity increases as they become more competent in their skills.

Experiential Education

Experiential Education is offered to students in grade 7. Using a variety of teacher directed challenge activities, students actively participate in the teaching/learning process. With the teacher’s guidance, students plan, organize, and carry out projects, trips, activities, etc., evaluate their success, and reflect upon their own personal experience of the process. At the core of this program is the student's need for a safe, risk-taking environment which fosters appreciation of differences and promotes individual contribution, commitment, and follow through.